download print version of CD5 page
CD5 Compact Disc Player and Transport
The CD5 was designed for one purpose, to play back compact discs with a stunning level of resolution, dynamics and musical naturalness. It is a remarkable digital turntable for your compact discs, drawing you into the music and keeping your attention as you listen to one disc after another.
The CD5 will play back normal "red book" music CDs, CD-R/RW discs, and hybrid SACDs, but it will not play back DVD-A, DVD-video or SACD-only discs. Why? Because we firmly believe that the compromises built into multi-format playback devices sacrifice sonic performance in the CD format. Most music lovers have extensive compact disc collections that continue to grow, so it only makes sense to play back those collections as faithfully as possible. Whether you have 100 or 10,000 discs, don't you want them to sound their best? Compromise was not built into the CD5's design.
The CD5 retains the best physical attributes and features of its predecessors while offering dramatically improved performance. The CD5 relies on the substantial Philips PRO2M laser mechanism mounted to a machined aluminum I-beam with Audio Research's proprietary mounting system and damping for ultralow mechanical jitter. The I-beam, in turn, is bolted to a heavy, machined aluminum plate for maximum rigidity. New high-performance circuit board material and an all-new FET direct-coupled analog output stage with beefy regulated supplies yield better performance that's measurable: channel separation is improved from 92 dB to 120 dB, and S/N ratio is improved from 90 dB to 114 dB. The CD5 is even "greener," drawing just 14 watts at idle compared to 26 watts for its predecessor.
Operationally, the CD5's control functions are straightforward and identical to its predecessor with one exception: it now has a dimmable display with four levels of illumination, plus off. Analog outputs include balanced XLR and single-ended RCA. Digital outputs include AES-EBU/XLR and coax/BNC. The line cord is detachable with a 15-amp connector.
In performance, the CD5 approaches the attributes of the flagship REFCD7: a larger, more dimensional soundstage, higher resolution of subtle dynamics, fewer digital artifacts and less grain. The top end is airier without dryness, while bass definition and control are both more precise and powerful. The overall sense of transparency and purity is simply breathtaking, offering a sense of relaxed intimacy with the recorded performance. You will enjoy finding new information buried in your CDs, and you will be inspired to find lots of new music to add to your collection.
CD5 Specifications:
OUTPUTS, ANALOG: (Stereo)
- Balanced XLR 5.2V RMS (+14.3dBv) max.
- Single-Ended RCA 2.6V RMS (+8.3dBv) max.
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: (Analog)
500 ohms BAL, 250 ohms SE.FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
0.5-20,000Hz +0 -1dBSIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO: BAL 114dBA below 20kHz.
DISTORTION: .06% 1kHz.
RESOLUTION: 24 BIT DAC.
CHANNEL SEPARATION: 120dB 1kHz.
OUTPUTS, DIGITAL: (Stereo)
- XLR Balanced AES/EBU 110-ohm 4V P-P.
- BNC coax SPDIF 75-ohm 0.7V P-P.
SIGNAL FORMAT: (disc)
Sampling frequency: 44.1kHz.
Quantization Bit: 16bit linear per channel.
Channel bit rate: 4.3218Mb/sec.
Channel modulation code: EFM (8-14 modulation)
Error correction: CIRC (cross interleave Reed Solomon Code).
DRIVE MECHANISM (top load)
Wow & Flutter: Unmeasurable (Quartz stability).
Discs: Accepts 5" (12cm) and 3" (8cm) sizes. OPTICAL PICKUP:
Type: 3-beam LDGU (Laser Diode & Grating Unit), with holographic diffraction light pen.
Laser: GaAIAs semiconductor, 780nm, 0.5mW maximum output.
Servo: Digitally-controlled low-inertia linear positioning actuator. JITTER REDUCTION: High-stability crystal-controlled re-clocking for all outputs.
DISPLAY: Six-digit vacuum fluorescent, with optical filter.
POWER REQUIREMENTS (detachable power cord):100-135VAC 60Hz (200-270VAC 50/60Hz) 20 watts maximum. (14 watts standby)
COMPLIANCE: RF Interference complies with FCC and CE MARK.
FRONT PANEL CONTROL FUNCTIONS:
PREV selection PLAY disc NEXT selection PAUSE program STOP disc STANDBY operate/standby mode
INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS:
(Standard RC5 code, 30ft max distance)
0-9 digit entry keys SCAN ten seconds each track PAUSE program REP repeat track/disc STOP program PLAY disc SHUF random sequence play search, REV search, FWD STBY operate/standby mode PROG enters selection on program list TIME elapsed, remaining track; remaining disc A/B repeats segment previous track next track DSP DN Decrease display intensity DSP UP Increase display intensity DIMENSIONS: 19" (48 cm) W x 5 1/4" (13.4 cm) H x 12 1/4"(31.1 cm) D. Handles extend 1 1/2" (3.8 cm) forward of the front panel. Rear connectors extend 3/4" (1.9 cm).
WEIGHT: 26 lbs. (11.8 kg) Net; 36 lbs. (16.4 kg) Shipping.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Audio Research Corporation
3900 Annapolis Lane North
Plymouth, Minnesota USA 55447-5447
Phone: 763-577-9700 Fax: 763-577-0323
www.audioresearch.com
©2008 Audio Research